A memorable week in boys’ basketball

Last week I saw three boys’ basketball contests. Two went into overtime, and two teams served notice that the Minneapolis and St. Paul City Conference titles won’t be that easy to reclaim by the defending champs.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Forward WAYLAND JOHNSON II sent the game into overtime with a freethrow with two seconds left inregulation, while finishing with 30 points in a 66-65 loss to Eden Prairie.

CHUCKIE SMITH was there when his teammates needed him most. The senior guard nailed a three-pointer with 23 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, added two freethrows in the extra period, and proved to be a steady influence while helping Minneapolis Washburn, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, to a hard-fought 72-69 City Conference victory over Henry.

Henry jumped out to a 23-8 lead before Washburn stormed back to make it a two-point deficit (32-30) by halftime.

Washburn, the defending Minneapolis City champs, led 55-51 at the 4:35 mark before the game started progressing and became one to remember.

Senior forward TIM GILL’s dunk and lay-up, followed by a couple of three-pointers by DARIUS HILL and SEAN ATKINS, put the Patriots up 61-55 with 1:37 remaining. Smith’s three-point play and DWIGHT ANDERSON’s freethrow made 61-59 at the 1:05 mark.

Gill and Washburn’s JERRY PRATT exchanged baskets during a 27-second span to make it 63-61. Gill added another freethrow to put Henry up by 64-61, setting up Smith for his three-pointer that sent the game into OT.

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Who would have thought Minnesota, after all these years, would be a destination place for pro basketball players to want to continue their careers? Even more unthinkable that it would be the Minnesota Lynx.

The 101st boys’ basketball tournament was one to remember. TYUS JONES (Apple Valley), regarded by many as the nations’ top junior prospect, scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in leading the Eagles past Park Center, led by Mr. Basketball finalist QUINTON HOOKER (18 points, nine rebounds), 74-57 to capture their first Class 4A state championship.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Members of Urban Ventures’ Summer Lab stopped by the MSR office July 23 and chatted with MSR Publisher/CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard, as part of a community scavenger hunt.
Much to the delight of the youth group, NFL wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. — who plays for the Arizona Cardinals and grew up in the neighborhood — happened to be driving by and stopped to take pictures with the excited teens.